THE hilarious Derry Girls series swept across our TV screens like a breath of fresh air.

And that’s exactly what you can look forward to when you follow in the footsteps of Erin, Michelle, Clare, Orla and the wee English fella on an official tour of the city.

The bracing breeze helps bring the Be A Derry Girl experience to life as you take a guided walking tour round some of the key locations used in the Channel 4 hit programme.

Our package, put together by Hastings Hotels, was the perfect antidote after watching the emotionally-charged finale to season three.

This was the chance for daughter Lucy and I to discover our inner Derry Girl — and enjoy a welcome break in Northern Ireland at the same time.

Before we could do that, we had to turn into the Ferry Girls when we boarded Stena Line’s Superfast VIII for the two-and-half-hour sailing between Cairnryan and Belfast.

We booked reclining seats in the snazzy Hygge Lounge which helped make the crossing plain sailing.

There’s plenty to do and see on board — including a restaurant, bar, coffee house, shop and even a Nordic Spa with a jacuzzi.

Our destination was the amazing four-star Everglades Hotel situated just outside the city centre.

The 64-room hotel, which overlooks the River Foyle, is the ideal jumping-off point for a trip into Derry, just an hour’s drive to the breath-taking Giants Causeway coastline or a country walk in the hills of Donegal.

The first thing that catches your eye in the Everglades lobby is a grand piano with a three-foot fibreglass duck sitting on top.

Not just any duck, you understand. This duck — the Hastings hotel chain’s mascot — is dressed up as Michelle from the Derry Girls series complete with school uniform and trademark giant hooped earrings.

After checking in, we had time to kick back and relax in our room — which had everything you could want for a chilled-out stay — before dinner in the hotel’s Grill Restaurant.

It had an extensive bistro-style menu and we both enjoyed a memorable meal.

A nightcap in the well-stocked hotel bar a good night’s sleep and then it was time for our Be A Derry Girl event, organised by Martin McCrossan City Tours.

GETTING THERE: Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII sail between Scotland and Northern Ireland,, with a choice of 12 daily sailings . Travel by foot or by car to Cairnryan and Belfast in only 2 hours 15 . Fares from £119 for single car driver. See stenaline.co.uk STAYING THERE: The Be a Derry Girl Package, includes an overnight stay at the Everglades Hotel, Afternoon Tea and cocktail and walking tour from £95pp, two sharing or £80pp without the tour. See hastingshotels.com

I figured you’d have to be a superfan of the TV show to enjoy the package to the full, but I was wrong. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never watched a single episode because it’s a stand-alone tour.

Our guide Garvin had the gift of the gab and he talked us through all the sights — the historic walls, Dennis’ Wee Shop, Long Tower Church, Bishop’s Gate, where Toto the dog made a miraculous appearance and the Guild Hall.

Garvin talked the talk as we walked the walk and got a valuable history lesson thrown in along with some spectacular views of the city.

The tour ended up at a giant Derry Girls mural, which features the show’s five main characters and is the perfect location for a photo op.

All that walking worked up an appetite for afternoon tea back at the Everglades — and what a treat that was.

The Derry-inspired menu included a limitless supply of tea, a roll and sausage, a cone of chips, a Tayto cheese and onion crisp sandwich, a cream horn and a cocktail.

We were also handed a miniature version of the Derry Girl duck as a souvenir of our Irish trip.

You’d be quackers not to try it for yourself.

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